Winter weather returns Sunday as afternoon snow, which could be “heavy” at times, moves toward the Washington DC area.
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Light rain and sleet transition to snowfall in parts of the Washington area Sunday.
This wet weather could freeze the roads overnight, making for a potentially smooth start to Inauguration Day in the nation’s capital.
Here’s what you need to know.
Suburbs north and west of Washington are seeing the heaviest snowfall as the winter weather system moves east, according to the National Weather Service.
According to WTOP meteorologist Mike Stinneford, between 3 and 6 inches of snow could fall in the northern suburbs and 1 to 4 inches in the metro area.
“Only light accumulations in the southern suburbs, where snow may remain mixed with rain. The rain will stop this evening,” he said.
The National Weather Service said snow and sleet would change to snow by midday, with 1 inch of snow falling per hour between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday.
Snow will end east of the mountains, the NWS said.
The heaviest snowfall is expected between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., with precipitation moving away from the area late Sunday evening, according to the National Weather Service.
A drop in temperatures could make conditions slippery overnight and into Monday.
“Skies will clear overnight, and slush and standing water will freeze as temperatures drop well below freezing. Monday will be a windy and extremely cold day,” Stinneford said.
The DC area can expect 1 to 4 inches of snowfall to accumulate on Sunday.
Charlie Gischlar with the Maryland State Highway Administration said there is still a lot of residual salt on the roads, especially in Western Maryland, as they have been in winter operation on and off for the past two weeks.
But, he noted, they are “watching this very closely.”
With Monday being Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the upcoming holiday could keep some drivers off the roads.
However: “Even after the precipitation stops, because the bitter cold will immediately follow, we will continue to prevent crews from entering and salting the ice areas. »
As for Sunday, the NWS has issued a winter storm warning for areas far north and west of the DC metro until 7 p.m.
It will be freezing during President-elect Donald Trump’s second inauguration, with temperatures between 15 and 20°C – the lowest temperatures for Inauguration Day since 1985. Due to the extreme cold, the ceremony inauguration will take place inside the Capitol rotunda. .
Cold air will persist into Tuesday and Wednesday as wind chills drop temperatures into the single digits into the teens.
SUNDAY EVENING:
The snow is ending
Becoming cold and windy
Time: 25-32; Wind chill: teens
Winds: northwest 10 to 15 mph; Gusts: 30 mph
The snow will decrease from west to east around 9 p.m., becoming cold and windy. Watch for ice spots that form on roads and sidewalks.
SUNDAY EVENING:
Generally clear, cold
Minimums: 15-20; Wind chill: 5-15
Winds: northwest 10 to 20 mph
Skies will continue to clear as temperatures drop rapidly. Sudden freezing rain or snow could cause icy conditions, especially on roads and elevated bridges.
MLK DAY & INAUGURATION DAY:
Mostly sunny, windy
Treble: 18-23; Wind chill: 5-10
Winds: northwest 10-20, gusts: 35 mph
Expect lots of sunshine, but that won’t help us warm up much. Temperatures will struggle to get out of the tens of degrees and into the 20s, with wind chills closer to zero degrees and in the single digits. Cold weather alerts from the National Weather Service are possible.
TUESDAY:
Mostly cloudy, very cold
Treble: 18-23; Wind chill: 5-15
Winds: northwest 3 to 8 mph
Cloudier skies will keep temperatures in the 20s and 20s Tuesday afternoon with wind chills between 5 and 15 degrees.
WEDNESDAY:
Mostly sunny, very cold
Maximums: near 20; Wind chill: 5-15
Winds: northwest 5 to 10 mph
Wednesday will be the last of the big cold and will also be the coldest day of the week. Temperatures will start in the single digits and barely rise above the teens, with wind chills below zero in the morning and only climb into the single digits.
Extended Outlook: Temperatures will be higher by next weekend into the mid 40s. The end of January and the first half of February are not looking as cold.
Current conditions
WTOP’s Valerie Bonk contributed to this report.
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